China now faces more "unstable and uncertain factors" in economic development

BEIJING â China's President Hu Jintao said Sunday the country faces difficult challenges in maintaining stable economic growth and social stability, and called for efforts to strengthen unity among the people.

"The task of dealing with the blow of the international financial crisis and maintaining stable and relatively fast economic development is arduous," Hu said.

China now faces more "unstable and uncertain factors," Hu said, describing the economic crisis as having had a "profound impact."

Hu also urged leaders to strengthen social unity, saying the task of "guaranteeing and improving the livelihood of the people and maintaining social stability is arduous."

Hu made the remarks Sunday at an event marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the main legislative advisory body.

His comments came as China prepares to celebrate 60 years of Communist rule with a parade on Oct. 1. The Communist Party leadership has been promoting the anniversary, which marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

At the same time, the government is dealing with recent unrest in its volatile western region of Xinjiang and growing large-scale protests across the country against corruption and social injustice. Petitioners from the provinces upset with what they see as unfair local officials visit Beijing daily. In recent days, police have tried to clear the city of potential protesters.

China's economic growth accelerated to 7.9 percent in the quarter ending June 30 from a year earlier, up from 6.1 percent the previous quarter. But Chinese leaders have said the country's economic recovery is not stable yet. Premier Wen Jiabao has said the government will continue its 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan and easy credit despite recent improvements.